K. & J. | Intimate Wedding at Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park
This wedding left a lasting impression on me because of its tenderness and family atmosphere. The couple’s kids and family were there. The youngest, just 1.5 years old, kept wandering into the bride and groom’s space, playing and laughing, adding a joyful touch to the day.
K. and J. chose to have an intimate wedding at Olympic National Park.
They rented a large, beautiful house in Forks for the whole family—about 20 people, including 5 kids. We took the getting ready shots there. While the bride was getting her makeup done, I captured family moments and various details. The bride made her own bouquet and decorations. Additionally, she ordered a cake decorated with dinosaur figurines of the bride and groom.
Having the little one around during the getting ready shots wasn’t planned. In the middle of it, he burst into the room where his dad was and announced he wanted to be with him. When the bride was ready, the little one wanted to go to her room too. By then, we had finished shooting, so the bride opened the door for him, and he was the first to see her fully dressed. He was amazed at how beautiful she looked. After poking her gently to make sure she was real, he began to play with her train and laughed.
After getting ready, there was a first look at the cabin’s backyard. Then everyone got into their cars and drove to Ruby Beach for the ceremony. It was pouring rain on the way, making driving scary at times. But as soon as we arrived at the parking lot, the rain stopped, and about 15 minutes later, the sun came out. The ceremony, officiated by my hubby Pasha, was beautiful and touching. Afterward, we had a picnic right on the beach. By then, the sun had dried everything, making it warm and pleasant. Everyone enjoyed the sunshine and the picnic.
After the picnic, I took the couple for sunset photos. The sunset was absolutely stunning. We did a "trash the dress" session, as the bride wanted, with them running through the water. We also took photos with lanterns. After that, we all returned to the cabin for a celebratory dinner. The bride’s parents love to cook and had prepared a feast, including a surf and turf dinner.
After dinner, we cut the cake and signed the documents, with both moms signing as witnesses. The little one actively participated in the cake cutting and was the first to taste the cake.
After putting the fidgety to bed, the couple returned, and we went out to the front yard for a champagne toast, complete with champagne spraying.
Thank you, K. & J., for this wonderful day filled with family warmth, children’s laughter, and your jokes! You’re an amazing couple, and I’m so happy you chose me as your elopement photographer!
HERE IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ELOPEMENTS
I’M VALERIE, YOUR ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
My style is called “candid photography.” The idea is to preserve moments as they were, not as we wish they looked.
Before we speak, I ask you to fill out the contact form. It helps me better understand what you want to get from your elopement. Knowing precisely what you want, I can offer you the best locations, activities, and vendors. Don’t worry if you don’t have a concept for your event. Together we’ll find the best solution. What I really won’t do is force you to accept something that I suggested. This is your day, and I just help you to turn your thoughts, ideas, and dreams into reality.
Friendship is not something you can buy, but here you will get a real friend. Yes, I’ll be pretty much invisible during the elopement, but as with any intimate event, the elopement goes better when you are surrounded by people you trust. I’ll try to become that kind of person for your couple. I’ll help you to spend this day in a relaxed atmosphere. One of the most popular reasons why people choose to elope is the desire to spend the wedding day without haste and fuss. Your elopement will be adventurous but stress-free! I'll be your rock, your shoulder to lean on.
Finally, when we discuss all the details, and you choose everything from location and date to clothes and champagne, I’ll get my camera. At that moment, my purpose will be to capture your real feelings and emotions. I’m not going to tell you what to do and how to pose. Our common goal is to save these brilliant moments of your love story, not to do posed photography.
If you love mountains peeking out of the fog, whimsical driftwood, layers of rock, formed over millions of years, and black volcanic sand, this is the place to be!